The annual 'Battle of Alberta' Super Finals will take place this coming Saturday afternoon at Alberta Downs, in Lacombe. With twelve dashes carded and over $360,000 in purse money being offered, you can bet that the action will be fast and furious on Alberta's richest harness racing day of the year.
The great-looking race card will include four $70,000 Super Finals and four $15,000 Consolations for the top two and three-year-old Alberta-bred money-earners throughout the 2014 Sires Stakes season. Also carded on the afternoon are the best aged pacers in the province with a pair of Open Pace heats featuring the likes of Who Doesn't (Travis Cullen) - riding a 10-race win streak dating back to May 25... And on the 'girl-power' side it will be the rematch between Sing Like An Angel (Phil Giesbrecht) and Feelin Flush (Travis Cullen).
The day sets up for a fabulous show on track... First race post time is 1:15 PM, with the weatherman suggesting mostly sunny skies and plus 6C.
$70,000 Battle of Alberta Super Final - Two-year-old Fillies - Race 8
7 FIRE WATCHher $57,000 in earnings easily makes her the richest Alberta-bred rookie of 2014. Although she's been beat in her last two tries - it's still very tough to go against a filly that has 6 victories from just 8 career starts.
6 MY VILLAS ON FIRE a winner of 5 from 10 starts, this Blue Burner miss smoked them last time in the Premiers Stake - winning by open lengths. She likes it up close, so look for Jamie Gray to put her in the hunt early.
2 HONEY BOOBOOLINA could be best of the rest here. This lightly raced daughter of As Promised appears to be peaking at just the right time for the combo of Campbell & Lutz.
8 BLUE STAR TEXAS gets the tough outside post here for Hall of Famer Keith Clark. She's one to be looking for if she can work out any kind of trip.
$70,000 Battle of Alberta Super Final - Two-year-old Colts and Geldings - Race 9
4 URCUTOFF a rock solid son of the ill-fated Brandons Cowboy, he appears to most dangerous when left alone on the lead. Campbell's game plan should be to put this fella on the boogie and let him dance.
7 COOL COWBOYJim 'The Moneyman' Marino loves the big-money days in Alberta... He's got a live one here that can race from anywhere. Show some respect for this Kelly Hoerdt trainee - this colt wants this one!
2 PABLOES FIRST this solid threat for 'Team Cutting' shows good closing speed and his inside post should help him stay close. Beware of this upset-minded son of Alberta fave Trust The Artist aka Pablo.
3 SENGA SHAGANAPPI he'll be a value player and he's worth a look for your SUPERFECTA play with this group. I'm sure the connections would be quite happy with a small piece of this pie.
$70,000 Battle of Alberta Super Final - Three-year-old Fillies - Race 10
5 NIGHTTRAINTOVEGAS by far the richest filly, in this field, with over $140,000 banked. She's never been better than she is right now - coming off a life best 1:54.4 win in the $50,000 Marquis Final. Put her on top!
2 ELISEUINTHEDUST took a 26.2 bullet through the heart - after parking to the opening quarter in the Marquis Final. I'm thinking she'll look for a helmet to follow and fire it up in the late going. Beware!
1 SMILYS AMIRA has been improving each and every time. After just missing, in her last two, she gets the rail here and although she may not take heavy action on the tote board - she will be a force to be reckoned with if the trip is there.
7 BARONA MERCEDES another outside post for this one. She did manage third off a hot pace last time out, so she'll hope for some pace to chase again and maybe throw on a set of lucky horse shoes for this one.
$70,000 Battle of Alberta Super Final - Three-year-old Colts and Geldings - Race 11
5 BLUE EYED COWBOY it's been a long campaign for this 'Cowboy' son. With 6 wins from 16 starts - a win here would shove him over $100,000 earned on the season and put him in the running for Horse of the Year honours. Top call!
3 SOTALLY TOBER expect this son of As Promised to be on or near the lead again. He shows great form coming in and he's actually the highest earner of this group, in 2014, with almost $75,000 banked. What's not to like?
8 OUTLAW GUNPOWDER this gun-slinger surprised last time out in the Maverick Final. He's a fine-looking son of Smart Shark and he could not be any sharper going up against these 'glamour boys'. A tough post to overcome, but it may play out for him.
6 COMES HOME FIRST one of four sired by Brandons Cowboy, in here, this Lance Ward-trainee has the hopes of J J J Stables' Rick Mowles riding along with 'The Moneyman' Marino. He's here because he belongs. He's in it to win it!
Race Selections
Race 1- 4 3 1 2
Race 2 - 3 2 1 4
Race 3 - 2 4 3 5
Race 4 - 4 8 7 2
Race 5 - 1 2 7 8
Race 6 - 5 1 4 2
Race 7 - 3 4 5 7
Race 8 - 7 6 2 8
Race 9 - 4 7 2 3
Race 10 - 5 2 1 7
Race 11 - 5 3 8 6
Race 12 - 6 5 4 2